F 

44 
.HaSfe 



HISTO RY 




OF HAMPSTEAD. N, H. 



FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 



BY ISAAC W. SMITH. 

As contained in a Historical Address delivered J iily 4, iS^O' 



HAVERHILL, MASS.: 
1884. 




Class. 
Book. 






HISTORY 



TOWN OF HAMPSTEAD, N. H., 



FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 



BY ISAAC W. SMITH. 

As contained in a Historical Address delivered July 4, 1849. 



HAVERHILL, MASS. 
1884. 






'01 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



Fellow Citizens, and 

Natives of Hampstead : 

By your invitation, I am to speak of our honored fore- 
fathers ; of men whose Uves were the history of our own 
homes., — whose characters were indissolubly identified with^ 
the Revolution of our Independence. 

To us this day is doubly interesting. We have met to 
celebrate the anniversary of our Nation's birth ; to pay a 
passing tribute to those who stood up manfully in the strife 
for freedom, and nobly gave their lives, to lay deep the 
foundations of that Government, under which we live in 
such perfect security of life and liberty. 

We have also met to celebi-ate an event in which we are 
peculiarly interested. A century is just completed, since 
a handful of hardy settlers were honored with an Act from 
King George II, incorporating this place with the privi- 
leges and conveniences of a municipal government. We 
have met to recount the early history of our town ; to res- 
cue from oldivion the names, of its settlers; to honor the 
memoiy of its most worthy inhabitants ; and to show our 
love and veneration for the spot "where our eyes first saw 
the light," or to which, from a long residence within its 
limits, we have become ardently attached. 

Unfortunately for posterit}^ there has been too little care 
bestowed upon tlie preservation of those legends in our 
earlier annals, which gave the truest index to the charac- 



4 HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

ter and habits of our ancestors and make up a valuable 
part of their eventful lives. Though removed only two 
centuries from the earliest scenes in New England history, 
we are yet ignorant of mau}^ of the most interesting par- 
ticulars of that period. The eventful story of our fore- 
fathers is yet to be written. "The lore of the fireside is 
becoming obsolete. With the octogenarian few, who still 
linger among us, will perish the unwritten history of bor- 
der life in New England." 

The period of the Trojan war is called the Heroic Age 
of Greece. The Iliad of Homer, founded upon the inci- 
dents of that war, represents to us, in startling realit}^ the 
characteristics of the ancient Grecians ; their indomitable 
spirit and unyielding courage ; their superstitious awe of 
divine interference ; their love of country predominating 
over that of kindred ; their eager desire to be led forth to 
battle ; their restless inactivity in time of truce ; the mar- 
tial spirit they infused in youthful breasts ; — all tliose 
qualities, that made the Grecian's fame reach the most dis- 
tant shores. The sightless bard has portrayed to us, with 
matchless skill, the noble impress of the power of the gen- 
erals of Greece ; the wisdom of her statesmen ; the elo- 
quence of her orators, surpassing emulation ; the sublimity 
of her poets, more musical and harmonious than any who 
lived before them, than all who have Hved since their time. 

England's Heroic Age embraces the darkest and most 
complex period in her annals. In tracing down events 
through the Middle Ages, the historian, when near the 
Age of Chivahy, finds that the poet has woven, out of the 
doubtful and obscure, dark and mysterious tragedies ; " tliat 
he has occupied the vacant field, turned to account the dark 
hint and half-breathed suspicion, and poured into the un- 
occupied and too credulous ear his thrilling and atti'active 
tale ; that the genius of Shakspeare seized upon the his- 
tory of this era as a vacant possession, and peopled it with 
beings, who had indeed historic names, but whose attrib- 
uted actions lack the stamp of authenticity." 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAp. 5 

But the Heroic Age of New England, the eventful story 
of the Puritans, has far more interesting connections. 
Looking back through a period of little more than two cen- 
turies, we turn to Old England's shoi-es, to the scenes in 
which they were "burning and shining lights," to the days 
of their long persecutions, to their noble confessions of 
faith before the world, and " sealed with their blood." At 
Delfthaven we see them kneel on the sea-shore ; commend 
themselves with fervent prayer to the blessing and protec- 
tion of Heaven ; part forever from friends, and home, and 
native land ; embark upon the almost unknown seas, and 
uncomplainingly encounter the dangers of the deep, to 
reach a place where they may in security worship the liv- 
ing God. And when their lone vessel reaches the bleak 
and barren sands of Cape Cod, — 

" On the deck then the Pilgrims together kneel down, 
And lift their hands to the source of each blessing, 
Who supports by his smile, or can blast with his frown, 

To Him their returns of thanksgiving addressing. 
Ilis arm through the ocean has led to the shores, 
Where their perils are ended, their wanderings are o'er." 

We admire the enthusiasm which impelled them to emi- 
grate ; the firm, unshaken spirit with which the}' met the 
horrors of Indian warfare, endured the extreme privations 
of the comfortable homes they had left behind, the suffer- 
ings and death from disease and a cold winter, "■ lamenting 
that they did not live to see the rising glories of the faith- 
ful." The memory of these men lives enshrined in our 
hearts and enthroned upon our affections. Their energ}' 
and incorruptible integrity prepared the way for the com- 
plete enjoyment of those blessings which New England 
people so preeminently possess. Amidst the stirring ex- 
citement of tlie present day, simple legends of the past 
have become, many of them, irretrievably lost. No poet 
has yet sung of the heroism of the Pilgrim Fathers. In 
coming ages, some Homer may arise, who shall describe in 
immortal verse, the Heroic Age of the New World ; who 
shall sins: of the Mav Flower of Plvmouth Rock : of Heroes 



O HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

more noble than Achilles or the son of Priam ; of moral 
conflicts more sublime, of defeats more signal than the 
battle between Greek and Trojan, than the sight of the 
ruins of smouldering Ilium ; and of eloquence more sub- 
lime than the appeals of Trojan Chiefs, or the thrilling 
harrangues of Grecian Leaders ; who shall sing of a sub- 
mission to the decrees, and of an obedience of the com- 
mands, of the living and true God, more humble and yet 
more beautiful, than the blinding superstitions and imposing 
ceremonies and sacrifices of the heathen deities. 

An affectionate and respectful remembrance of our 
worthy ancestors, is a debt of gratitude which we can pay 
in no other/Way, so appropriately, as by the exercises of 
to-day. 

If tradition speaks truly, the first inhabitants of this 
town were two Indians, who lived near Angly Pond. An 
Indian is also said to have lived near the large oak* in this 
neighborhood. No further information of the history of 
these men can be found. But these rumors are undoubt- 
edly correct ; for the fine facilities for fishing, which the 
ponds in this town then offered, and the fine linnting 
grounds the forests then presented, must have rendered it 
a favoiite resort of the Red Man. 

Our imaginations carr}^ us back to the time, when this 
land was inhabited by the Indian only, and to scenes wit- 
nessed or enacted by him alone, in centuries gone by. A 
wild and roving people once lived in these places, once 
performed their sacred rites in these beautiful groves, cele- 
brated their festive days with strange ceremonies, and 
payed tribute to the memory of their dead, with strange 
lamentations. Unaccustomed to till the soil, and indepen- 
dent of the cares of life, they roved in careless indolence 
through these fields, bathed in these waters, and threaded 

the mazes of these forests, in uninterrupted pleasure. 

1 

*This tree stands in front of the dwelling house of Mr. Benjamin Sawyer, and is 
the same to which allusion is made by Kev Henrj-True. It measures about 25 leet 
in circumferei.ce It is hollow, and loimer y, by means of a hole near ihe gr.iund, 
was a lavorite hiding place for the boys in the neighborhood. This aperture has now 
grown over. 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 7 

To use the language of another,! — " Here, long ago, 
and perhaps on the very spot where we are assembled, has 
been held the war dance around their council fires, while 
the surrounding hills echoed their loud whoop ; here with 
impassioned words and startling figures have they made 
the woods resound with their rude but irresistible elo- 
quence, which, more potent than the peal of the ' stirring 
drum,' and the shrill fife, aroused them to deeds of daring 
and of valor. 

'•And when in times of peace, softer passions swayed 
their hearts, beneath these forest pines, Indian youth have 
wooed their mates, and with the stars to witness and bless 
their vows, have pledged perpetual love and constancy. 

" But these scenes are all blotted out. The history of 
centuries is a blank. Oh I could we roll back the oblivi- 
ous tide and expose to view what other days have wit- 
nessed ! could we but catch the sound of some soul-stirring 
song, or the echo of some strain of their simple and glow- 
ing eloquence ! But it cannot be. Nor song, nor speech 
can be gathered up. Like the 

' flower that's born to blush unseen, 
And waste its sweetness on the desert air,' 

they have died in the breeze that wafted them away." 

There is no record to show the exact time when Hamp- 
stead was settled. The earliest records of the town com- 
mence in January, 1749, with the first meeting under the 
charter. According to tradition, the first settlement was 
made in 1728. The venerable man, who ministered to this 
people so many years, and whose recent death we have so 
much reason to lament, did more than any one else to pre- 
serve the most interesting events in our history. In his 
" Sketch of Hampstead,"* published in 1835, he remarks, 

tHev. Stephen T. Allen. Taken from his adflress delivered at the Centennial Cele- 
bration of the town of Merrimack, April 3, 1846. 

*lt is proper here to say, that I am indebted to his " Sketch" for many of the facta 
here related; also to the town records. Moat of the remaining. facts were communi- 
cbted to me by tiie older inhabitants of the town. 



O HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

" that three white families, of the name of Ford, Heath 
and Emerson, moved into the place about the year 1728. 
Mr. Emerson came fiom Haverhill, and settled near a brook 
in the south part of the town. Some of his posterity re- 
main here still, and are among the most respectable in- 
habitants." 

No additional light has been discovered from a search 
among the records and papers of the town. Mr. Kelly 
was always remarkably exact in his statements, and took 
a commendable degree of pride in collecting such interest- 
ing portions of history. I have not been able to learn the 
place where Mr. Emerson, nor where the other two fam- 
ilies settled. But from the fact, that until recently, families 
of the name of Heath have lived in the east part of the 
town, and that that part is known to have been early set- 
tled, we may conclude that they located in that vicinity. 

But another account, from some of our townsmen, states 
that the first house in Hampstead was built by Mr. Edmund 
or Peter Morse, who moved from Newbury, Mass., and was 
the grandfather of Mr. Joseph Morse, and of Samuel Morse, 
Esq., recently deceased. The house stood in the pasture, 
about half a mile north-east of the house of Dr. Samuel 
Morse. A part of the farm is stiU'owned by his descend- 
ants. The same account also states that Lieut. Peter 
Morse was a son of this Mr. Morse, and the first white 
male person born in town ; and that his daughter Judith 
was the first white female born in Hampstead. The cellar 
where this house stood is still to be seen. It is divided 
into two parts, by the foundation of a large chimney. Four 
pines, from eight to twelve inches in diameter, now stand 
in the cellar. Near by these ruins is the first burial place 
of our fathers. There are over a hundred graves, and not 
a single monument to tell us the names of those who sleep 
beneath the sod ! 

Near the eastern shore of this pond* are found the ruins 

*'rhe exercises of this celeliration were held in the "Davis Grove," situated on the 
western shore of the "Wash Pond,'' and extending to the water's edge The Grove 
is distant from the ruins of the first settlement, about half a mile, in a direct Imc. 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 9 

of the early settlement of the town. It was once the most 
populous part, the centre of importance. But nothing re- 
mains, save the few relics which time has spared. The 
roughly stoned cellars, the half-filled wells, and the beaten 
paths to favorite springs, mark the spot where our hardy 
townsmen first began to clear the land of its heavy growth 
of wood and timber, erected their rude log houses, and be- 
gan to undergo the privations of a life in a new settle- 
ment. 

In this age of security and luxury, we are apt to under- 
rate the hardships which the first settlers of New England 
had to encounter. Our soil is a stubborn one and yields 
a good return only to the most persevering toil. To live 
in those days, when all a family could get was what it 
alone could raise from the earth, or fashion with its hands ; 
when neighbors were few and far scattered, and each little 
household was dependent upon itself almost alone, for 
help and protection; when the work of years was liable to 
be destroyed in a single night; when the ruthless savage 
was continually prowling about each settlement, and in an 
unguarded moment murdering or carrying into hopeless 
captivity, women and children ; when no farmer felt secure 
at work in his field, unless armed with his gun ; and when 
even the house of God was the scene of constant alarm 
from the actual or much dreaded attack of the Indian — to 
live in those days and to contend with such diflficulties, is 
not the ordinary lot of man. 

In reviewing the history of our town, we would gladly 
turn to the days of our first settlement, and fix on some 
bright spot of the past. We would picture to ourselves 
scenes of rural contentment and quiet ; the humble log 
house, half concealed from view by tall maples and grace- 
ful elms, alike protected from the heat of summer, and 
shut in from the cold storms of winter ; the cheerful fire- 
side ; the honest-minded farmer and his simple-hearted 
dame, suriounded by a numerous family of stalwart 3'oung 
men and coy maidens, training to become efficient actors 



lO HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

in the great struggle for American Independence. We 
follow in imagination the hunter in the excitement of the 
chase, or in his perilous adventures in the extermination of 
the wild beasts of the forest ; we hear the happy voice of 
the farmer toiling in his field, the quick blows of the 
woodman's axe, the loud crash of the falling tree, or the 
clear notes of the laughing, merry voices of children ring- 
ino- throuoh the woods, echoing across the calm surface of 
this beautiful pond, and dying away in the thick shade of 
the trees that covered its opposite shores. 

These scenes, we would gladly believe, constituted the 
routine of their lives. But the reality differs widely 
from this ideal picture of rural quietness. Toil, severe and 
unremitting, left them but little lesiure to enjoy the more 
quiet pleasures of modern life. It was their lot to endure 
the hardships of pioneers in the wilderness. How they 
fared, what difficulties they encountered, what efforts they 
made for the promotion of the moral and benevolent 
institutions which are so peculiar to New England, history 
tells us not. The names of the great only are enrolled on 
the books of fame. The historian records the name of the 
victorious warrior, the illustrious statesman, the eloquent 
orator, and the accomplished scholar. But the man whose 
lot it is to live and die upon the spot of his birth, who lives 
in ignorance of the ways of the world, honestly performs 
his part in the drama of life, and "bears love to God and 
good will to man," — dies lamented in the circle of immedi, 
ate friends in which he moved ; but when they in turn 
quit all here below, his memory perishes too. 

With the ruins of the first settlement of this town, fast 
crumbling to decay, will perish every memento of our ear- 
liest history. How forcibl}^ we are reminded of the perish- 
ableness of all earthly things I A century and a quarter 
ago, this town was a wilderness, uninhabited by the white 
man, and only the occasional resort of the Indian. To-day 
it is the abode of civilization, of happiness, of peace and 
plenty. But its first settlers — where are they ? They 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. II 

sleep in the dust ; their very names, with hardly an excep- 
tion, are lost, and no record remains of their eventful lives. 
With a sense of loneliness we ask, " what is the history 
of man ?" and lienceforth there comes the response, 'born 
— living — dead." 

"The battle of life is brief,— 

The alarm — the struggle — the relief, 

Then sleep we side by side." 

There is nothing upon the records of the town, or else- 
where, that I have been able to discover, which reveals to 
us the history of our earliest ancestors. But from the fact 
tliat in twenty years from the time of its first settlement, it 
had become of sufficient importance to be honored with an 
act of incorporation, we may infer that at least an ordinary 
deo-ree of success attended the settlement.* No untoward 
event, probably, interrupted its growth, so that in 1748 
the people petitioned the Royal Governor for a town char- 
ter, which was granted on the 19th of January, 1749. 
This instrument appears to have been regarded by our an- 
cestors witli a good degi'ee of veneration. It was copied 
into the first book of Records, and to those at all curious 
in relies of antiquit}', is a matter of interest. 

From the " Historical Sketch," by Mr. Kelly, we find 
that Hampstead is made up of two segments, one from 
the town of Amesbury, and the other from the town of 
Haverhill, both being cut off from those towns by running 
the state line in 1741, and were thereby included within 
the Province of New Hampshire. It was called, original- 
ly, Timber Lane, " on account of its being an elevated, 
hard tract of land, and from the abundance of timber of 
the most valuable kinds, Avhich rendered it a place of con- 
siderable resort." It was named Hampstead, after a 
pleasant village of that name in the county of Middlesex, 

*It was a far more difficult thing at that time to plant a small colony, and cause it to flour- 
ish, than it is at the present day, lo build up a large cilv, or cause thriving villages to spring 
iii\ by enchantment almost, out of the midst of a ihiiving and industrious people The 
largest city in this state, 1 1 yenis ago, contained less than a thousand inhabitants; in the com- 
pnct part of it, where is now found a ihiiving population of 14000 souls, there then stood but 
three houses and dwelt about a ^core of people. At the present day this wonderful increase 
is not uncommon. A century ago it required time to lay the foundation of a permanent set- 
tlement. 



12 HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

in England, five miles north of London. The town Avas 
so named by Governor Wentworth. The island in this 
town was reserved by him for his farm. This Island must 
formerly have been a place of considerable note. All ac- 
counts agree in saying that the Governor reserved it for his 
own use. No such reservation appears in the Charter. It 
would, perhaps, be more proper to say that he owned the 
Island in his own right, in the same way that any private 
individual owned his own farm. The buildings erected 
upon the Island, must, in their day, have been considered of 
a superior kind. One of the houses was evidently intended 
for the occasional residence of the Governor, and the other 
according to the English custom, was of a poorer kind, and 
devoted to the use of his domestics. Notwithstanding the 
buildings have been suffered to go to decay, there are yet 
enough traces of improvement remaining, to render the 
spot one of the most beautiful places in the state. It was 
formerly called "Governor's Island." As it is wanting in 
a name at this time, a return to the old name would be 
very appropriate. 

In granting the Charter, the King reserved to himself, 
his " heirs and successors, forever, all wl)ite pine trees, 
growing and being, or that shall grow and be, on said tract 
of land, fit for the use of his Royal Navy." Such a reserva- 
tion was usual at that time, but it has availed the poor 
Kino- and his succeesors but little. Since we threw off the 
yoke of British allegiance, his successors have been forced 
to look elsewhere for materials for the " Royal Navy," and 
England, twice humbled in her haughty pride, has found a 
powerful rival on the shores of America. 

In accordance with the provisions of the Charter, the 
first public meeting was warned to assemble for the pur- 
pose of organizing under it, by Daniel Little, Esq. The 
warrant is one of which we ma^^ as townsmen, well be 
proud. It is so indicative of the character of our New 
England ancestors, that I cannot forbear copying it. 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. I3 

*' These are to warn ye freeholders and other inhabitants of ye town of 
Harapstead, qualified to vote in ye choice of Town Officers, to meet at ye 
New Meeting House in Harapstead on ye first Wednesday of February 
next at 10 of ye clock in ye forenoon for ye following particulars, viz : 

1st. To choose town officers as ye law directs,- 

2d. To see what ye said Town will do in order to make ye Meeting 
House 7nore comfortable for ye public worship of Grod, and also to choose 
a committee to take care of ye same. 

3dly. To consider and act what shall be thought best about ye place 
proposed for six pews in ye new tier in ye front of said Meeting House. 

4thly. To choose a Committee to provide a minister to preach among 
Tis in order for settling amongst us, or what ye town may think most 
proper. 

Dated at Hampstead, Jan'y 24, 1749. 

DANIEL LITTLE, Justice of the Peace. 

The people were notified to assemble in the New Meet- 
ing House. This is the same building which is now used 
for a town house and occasionally for religious services. It 
cannot be determined, certainly, when it was built. From 
the best information, we are led to believe that it was 
raised about the year 1745. It was probably built at the 
town's expense, as they seem by the records to have exer- 
cised exclusive control over it, in selling the pews, making 
repairs and taking care of it. 

The building that first served them for a place of worship 
must have been small, and of that kind universally erect- 
ed by the Puritans when the}^ first settled in New England. 
It was located on the spot where " Spiggot Hall," (re- 
cently so named,) is now situated. Nothing remains to 
tell us when it was erected, nor how long it was used. It 
was probably built of hewn logs, in the simplest manner, 
without porch or ornament, and without any pretensions 
to beauty or finish, after the mode of architecture then 
prevailing in New England. Rough boards or logs consti- 
tuted the pews, and the pulpit was scarcely any thing 
better. A galleiy for the choir was unheard of, or at least 
unthought of, being considered a dangerous innovation 
upon Puritan simplicity. As was their custom at those 
times, the hymn was '* deaconed out" a line at a time, (for 
liymn books were a luxury which they could ill afford,) 



14 HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAU. 

all the congregation, who chose, joined in the singing ; a 
mode of praising God, often more in accordance with the 
real feelings of the heart, than the elegant, finished, but 
too frequently unmeaning way, in which tiie select choirs 
of the present day, perforin tliis delightful duty. 

The first Meeting House must have been extremely un- 
comfortable in tlie winter season ; its walls were unplas- 
tered, and fires were out of the question, stoves being a 
thing unheard of, in such a place. The building too, was 
erected when the population was small in numbers, and 
would not accommodate tlie increasing wants of the peo- 
ple. 

From these considerations, they determined to erect a 
new and more commodious place of worship. The new 
house, which tliey constructed, reflects great credit upon 
them, for what must then have been considered an elegant 
and beautiful structure. It was built of durable materials 
and for over a centuiy has withstood the ravages of time. 
In convenience of arrangement, in the simiJicity of its 
model, and in the beaut}' of its proportions, it stands a mon- 
ument of Puritan skill and energy and of Puritan faith. 

The house was not put in its present shape, till near the 
close of the eighteenth century, when the porch and steei)le 
were added, and the house thoroughly repaired. Even the 
windows were not all glazed, nor the doors all hung until 
some years after the frame was covered ; and it was many 
years before its walls Avere plastered. The limited means 
of our fathers would not permit them to finish it, as fast 
as they desired or as convenience demanded. 

The erection of this house was considered by them indis- 
pensible. It was no mercenary motive that led our fath- 
ers to leave " Old Enghmd's " shores, encounter the perils 
of the deep, and endure the privations of a life in the wil- 
derness. It must have been a strong and enduring love 
for religion and a perfect faith in God, that induced our 
Puritan mothers to sever the ties of kindred and nation, 
to leave parents and friends — all behind — and find in the 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 1$ 

wiltls and severe climate of New England, a place to wor- 
ship God in security, " according to the dictates of their 
own consciences;" to find a refuge from pereecution, and 
an asylnm for the despised Pilgrim. It was a strong and 
abiding love in God, that could induce our fathers and 
mothers to leave the luxuries and pleasures of ho7ne — that 
word, the mention of which, calls up in our memories a 
thousand pleasing associations, — and to settle in lands 
which would be continually' harassed by Indian warfare, 
and attended with such " sure destruction of property, 
and life, and hope." " There was no face which did not 
gather paleness, and no heart which did not bleed at ever}^ 
pore. Everything in life Avas held and enjoyed in fearful 
uncertainty. The fond motl:er,with her infant in her arms, 
held him in perpetual fear. She felt that inward terror, 
that beatina: and throbbing of nature within the heart, 
which she only can know, who is nursing her infant for 
slaughter." Hearts that could put their trust in the Lord 
and brave dangefs like these, more terrible, because uncer- 
tain, and attended with unheard of barbarity, must have 
been imbued with a perfect love of God. It no longer, 
then, excites our wonder, that every infant settlement had 
its sanctuar}', that New England has become world re- 
nowned for its religion, its learning, and its enterprise. 
Its ten thousand church spires, reaching upward toward 
Heaven, point with unerring accuracy, to the cause of its 
superiority in morality and prosperity. 

Happily our own town never was the scene of Indian 
massacre and cruelty. But its vicinity to other places, 
which in an unsuspecting moment, became scenes of blood- 
shed, must have kept them in perpetual suspense. " Hus- 
bands and wives, parents and children, nightly retired to 
rest in safety, sunk together into silence, doubting ever to 
rise again." 

The same people came to settle this town, and possessed 
the same undying love for God, and the same unyielding- 
spirit to persecution. The strong love for the sanctuary. 



I6 * HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

and sanctuary privileges, which they implanted in onr 
breasts, is the richest legacy they could have bequeathed 
us. It outshines in splendor and in richness, "the wealth 
of Ormus and of Ind." It is no mean heritage to be the 
descendants of such people. Well may we quote with 
pride the first warrant for the meeting of the free-holders, 
when every line but one was penned, to take measures for 
the enjoyment of increased privileges in the worship of 
God, and to provide a permanent preacher of His word. 

The erection of their new Meeting House, was an im- 
portant era in their history. It is unfortunate that there 
is no authentic record of it extant. Allow me to quote the 
language used upon an occasion similar to this.* 

" It was apparent that it was in their hearts to build a 
house unto the Lord. At length the work went on. The 
forest, dense and heavy, that then eutiely surrounded the 
destined location, resounded with the woodman's axe. The 
oaks hard by, — venerable with the growth of centuries, — 
were felled and fitted for their place ;" at length, " the 
day, so long an object of pious desire on the part of some, 
and of wakeful interest among all, had arrived. At an 
early hour in the morning from the remotest borders of 
the town, the men are gathering. All are prompt and 
ready to act their several parts in a scene, than which none, 
perhaps, more joyous had ever before occurred in the his- 
tory of the town. None of the actors survive to recount 
what transpired on that memorable day. We kuow, how- 
ever that the raising of a Meeting House was an event of 
no ordinary interest. But in these days of progress and 
rapid execution, when villages rise up like mushrooms, and 
Meeting Houses, comfortably provided with all fixtures, 
can be furnished at short notice, we can but imperfectly 
imaeine the excitement that thrilled the infant settlement 
on the occasion in question. 

" The morning of the day, we may well suppose, found 
their domestic matters done up in season, and we seem to 

*Rev. Mr. Allen. 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. I7 

see them setting off, — the active and the able bodied, with 
their implements in hand, — ihe housewives neatly attired 
in their checkered aprons, on foot or on pillion, — the 
beardless, vannting young men and coy maidens, in Suii- 
day dress, — all wending their way to the central point of 
interest, wliere, doubtless, in due time, were assembed 
nearly all of the three hundred population in town. 

'' What deeds of strength and agility, in handling beams 
and rafters, — what skill in tilting and catching pins — what 
hair-breadth escapes, — what presumtuous adventures in 
w^alking the giddy ridgepole, — what notes of alarm from 
prudent mothers and careful wives, — it is not for us to re- 
port. Nor would it be of interest, at this late period, 
to speak of the closing scenes of that day. It is enough 
to remark, that, as after the consecration of the Temple, 
Solomon held a feast, and all Israel Nvith him, and on the 
eighth day sent the people away, and they came to their 
tents joyiully and glad of heart ; so no doubt abundant 
provision had been made for " all those creature comforts, 
once — but not now, deemed indispensable at a raising. 

''The massive frame thus went up, without any accident 
to mar the happiness of the occasion ; and there it has 
stood," more than " a century, defying the fierce blasts of 
winter, and the progress of decay, — and seems even now, 
capable, with proper care, of lasting a century more. 
Though it has been taken from sacred, and appropri- 
ated to secular uses, — though it stands solitar}^ and 
alone, and seems without and within like one forsaken, 
— yet, who can pass it b> ," " without emotion ? " It 
is of New England architecture. " It is a Puritan 
structure." * * * "Centuries to come will approve 
and applaud the New England men, who worshipped 
in square pews, and the New England ministers, who 
preached with a subduing power from high pulpits." 

The first town meeting was held on the 7th day of 
February, 1749* Daniel Little was chosen moderator, 

*rhis was in Old Style. According to our chronology, it would be eleven days later. This 
remark will also apply to the date of our town charter. 



l8*- HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

and had the honor of hokling the first elective office in 
town. Peter Eastman was elected Town Clerk, to which 
office he was annually elected, with but two exceptions, 
till 1776. Nathaniel Heath was chosen Constable but not 
wishing to serve, hired Ebenezer Gile to take his place^ 
and the town accepted the substitute. A board of five 
Selectmen was chosen, either because it was the custom 
to choose that number, or because they thought five would 
be more prompt to serve the town well, than three. The 
board consisted of John Johnson, Lieut. Peter Morse, 
George Little, Jacob Bayley and Stephen Johnson. The 
other offices were all filled, no doubt, by good men. 
Joseph Stevens and John Beard were elected Hogreeves. 
If the custom then prevailed, as at the present time, of 
choosing the newly married to that office, we are led to 
infer that Joseph Stevens and John Beard had recently 
worshipped at the altar of Hymen. It is certainl}'- a cus- 
tom of long standing. Tlie office was not then, as now, a 
nominal one ; its duties were often onerous. Perhaps the 
custom owes its origin to the playful desire upon the part 
of the community at large, to render this naturally embar- 
rassing period of the newly wedded couple's life, more em- 
barrassing by thus drawing to the happ}' groom, the atten- 
tion of the whole town. There may be something peculiar 
in matrimony itself, that renders him a suitable person to 
have charo'e of the swine runninu; at lar<je, and makes 
him emphatically " master of the ring." Or, by ringing 
the nose of the unfortunate pig, he may see a foreboding 
of what is to be his own fate, unless he shall float down 
the stream of w^edded life more safely than sometimes h<ip- 
pens. The question will, probably never be settled upon 
strictly' political principles. 

Some action was taken at this meeting for securing a 

settled minister. But from a defect in the records, it does 

-not appear what action was had. From the fact that a 

minister was settled three years afterward, in 1752, it is 

probable that this meeting prepared the way for future 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. I9 

success, though its action at that time did not result in 
iinything definite. 

At the annual meeting in 1750, among other things, it 
was voted to " hire a schoolmaster for six months in ye 
summer season, to teach ye children, to read and write." 
We may point to this vote with great pleasure. That a 
town, which had been settled only twenty-one years, and 
had, probably, less than three hundred inhabitants, should 
be at the expense of sustaining the school half the year, 
was an act which forms one of the brighest spots in our 
history. The next distinguishing feature, in the polic}' 
adopted by our fathers, to the noble example they set in 
the worship of God, is our system of Common Schools. 

The men who settled New England, entertained correct 
ideas of true glory. They had been schooled in adversity 
and had learned to estimate truly human greatness and 
human power. The}' knew that " knowledge is power." 
In the ignorance and superstition that shrouded the Old 
World in error, shut out the glad light of liberty, and 
fastened upon Europe the badges of the most despotic 
governments, the}' saw the destiny that awited them in 
their new homes, unless they should lay deep the foun- 
dations of knowledge. They knew that freedom, with- 
out knowledge, was but another name for slavery. The 
arrogant assumption of the Papal authority, the bitter 
unrelenting cruelty of the Dark Ages, their own persecu- 
tions by their own firesides, served to make them strive 
more zealously, to establish what they conceived to be the 
truth. Our fathers saw the degredation of the masses of 
the Old World, and resolved that no such heritage should 
be the lot of their childien. At the same time they erected 
their own dwellings, they also erected the school house. 

When they established the Common School system, they 
performed an act, whose influence will reach down through 
all time. Had it not been for the intelligence of the men 
of 177G, America had never been free. Had it not been 
for Common Schools, our enterprise would not whiten 



20 HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

every sea with the sails of our ships ; our commerce would 
not extend to the most distant ports ; our fabrics would 
not compete so successfully with those of more favored 
climes ; our glorious Union itself would not have stood so 
long, unshaken by the dangers which threaten it without 
and within. 

Csesar, the hero of three hundred battles, the subjuga- 
tor of eight hundi-ed cities, the conqueror of three millions 
of people, one million of whom he slew in battle, has, in- 
deed rendered his name immortal. But long after the in- 
fluence of his deeds shall have ceased to be felt, when his 
name shall be rememl)ered onl^'to be associated with scenes 
of cruelty, shall the humble, unpretending acts of the Pil- 
grims move the might}^ masses that shall come after them. 

The greatest foe to t3'ranny is knowledge. Millions, yet 
unborn, will unite to bless the men "who broke the magic 
spell of ignorance and of error." 

We do no feel the full weight of the debt of gratitude, 
which we owe to the memory of our fathers. Not till we 
contrast our fortune with that of the millions of Europe, 
who are now struggling to burst the bonds that have so 
long held them in ignoiance, and in humiliating depend- 
ence upon the nobility, can we feel the superiority of our 
condition. 

How different is the condition of Common Schools at 
the present day from what it was one hundred years ago I 
Then the town voted to liire a teacher for six months, to 
teach only reading and writing. So limited a course of 
education at this day, would hardly be thought a very 
great accomplishment. But their effort for the educa- 
tion of the rising generation will seem a noble one when 
we consider that then almost the whole world was bur- 
ied in ignorance, that onl}' here and there did the bright 
rays of knowledge illumine the face of the earth, that 
then people considered the possession of knowledge beyond 
their reach and forbore to strive after it, that one centu- 
ry ago the world was groping in the dark, — all knowl- 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 21 

edge of the truth effectually shut out from the minds of 
the people, except when imparted through the medium of 
men whose interest it was to keep the masses in ignor- 
ance. Even in 1750 our town, would compare favorably 
with the condition of many parts of our country at the 
present time. In our southern and western states, there 
is many an individual who can neither read nor write. But 
an hundied years ago, it was not a common thing to find 
a New Englander who could not do both. 

There are many yet living who can count their whole 
term of " schooling " by weeks, who traveled miles to 
school, and thought themselves fortunate to enjoy such 
privileges. The school houses of that time were want- 
ing in almost every convenience, and possessed none of 
the luxuries of modern times. Though often hardly 
wortliy the name of a school house, often containing 
only a single room, cold and uncomfortable, amid the 
miniatin-e snow banks, which crept stealthily in between 
the crevices of the hewn logs, and through the cheerless 
days of winter, were educated as brave men and noble 
hearts as ever lived. 

The Testament was then the only reading and spelling 
book known, and a copy-book consisted of a few leaves 
of the roughest paper. To this limited list of studies 
Arithmetic was soon added. At first no text book was 
used. Such examples as would come up in the ordinary 
course of a man's business, were given out by the teacher 
and the four fundamental rules taught orally. In time, 
Pike's Arithmetic made its appearance, grew into general 
favor, and for a long time remained in exclusive use. 
But that, like everything else, must give place to im- 
provement. Then followed Welch's, Adams' Old, and 
New, Colburn's, and lastly, to the honor of our town, 
the analytical, thorough and concise treatise, by one of 
Hampstead's most distinguished sons.* The rapidity 
with which it grew into general favor, the extensive 

*The Norih American Arithmetic, in three parts, by Frederick Emerson, Instructor in Bos- 
ton. 



22 - HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

adoption of it in most of our schools, and the success 
with which it maintained its favor with the public in 
face of the most persevering competition, is proof, stronger 
than words, of its real merits. 

There is not time to notice all the improvements in- 
troduced into our schools. What distrust accompanied 
the introduction of new studies, what wry faces were 
made over the unintelligible pages of Murray, what bit- 
ter tears were shed over hard, half-learned tasks, and 
what fear of blistered hands or smarting limbs, — we 
leave for other pens on different occasions. 

It is proper, however, to allude to the important changes 
that have taken place in reading books. The New 
Testament was, at first, the only reading book used. But 
from the sacredness of the book, and on account of its 
being ill adapted to the capacities of different ages, it 
was superseded by other books. The American Precep- 
tor, and, for a long time also, the English Reader, were 
favorite text-books. In the improvements of the age, 
these books gave way to a series well adapted to the dif- 
ferent ages and capacities of youth, by another distin- 
guished son of Ilampstead.f For several years the town 
honored him by the exclusive adoption of his books. But 
the love for new things is irresistible, and Emerson's 
Reading books have been partially laid aside, to make 
room for other candidates for public favor. The same au- 
thor has furnished to the world a simple, neat, well ar- 
ranged and correct spelling book,J which has been exclu- 
sively adopted in the schools in this town for nearl}^ twenty 
years. The hundreds of editions that have been pub- 
lished, its almost universal adoption in schools, and the 
long time it has been in use, are sure guaranties of its 
worth. The rival, that can supplant it, must present the 
strongest claims of excellence. 

The man who publishes a book for Common School 

tBenjamin D. Emerson, Esq., Roxbury, Mass. 

JEmerson's National Spelling Book. 



- HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 23 

use, wields a mighty influence. The character of his 
book operates upon the mind when it is most suscept- 
ible of bias. It is the duty of the people, then, to look 
into the character of the instruments, which aid in 
forming the most lasting impressions the youthfid mind 
ever receives. 

I believe no other town has the honor of being the birth 
place of men, whose school books have been so univer- 
sally approved and adopted. This fact, together with the 
esteem with which we have always regarded tliem, must 
be ray apology for alluding to what, at first sight, might 
not seem strictly appropriate to the occasion. 

Our fathers had not the advantages which we enjoy. 
The town in 1750, contained but one district, and ac- 
cording to the terms of the vote, the school was to be 
sustained only in the summer season. Its advantages 
could not, therefore, have been extensive. The great 
distance must have excluded most of the smaller cliil- 
dren, and the duties of the farm and of the dairy, in the 
busiest season, must have deprived many of the elder chil- 
dren from attending. The first attempts in other parts, 
of New England, to establish schools, were attended with 
similar inconveniences, and produced only the same lim- 
ited advantages. But from this small germ, has grown 
up around us our strongest bulwark of defence. It is 
the cause of our unexampled prosperit}-. In vain will 
bigotry or infidelity attempt to undermine our security, 
Avhile our system of Common Schools is cherished as one of 
the most efficient aids to religion, and national prosperity. 
The foundation of all prosperity is in an enliglitened com- 
munity. An ignorant people, though inhabiting the most 
favored land on earth, soon sinks into insignificance. Our 
extended sea-coast invites the merchant to traverse the 
ocean for trade with ever}' clime. Our fertile valleys 
have given employment to the agriculturalist. Our nu- 
merous water-falls have attracted the enterprising manu- 
facturer. " Cities spring up like exhalations, under the 



24"- HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

magic touch of his wand, and the hum of machinerj 
arises out of the midst of a thrift}', industrious and happ}' 
people." 

The majestic plains and rivers of the West have col- 
lected adventuiers from every part of the woild. Our 
country exhibits to other nations the unexampled rise and 
prosperity of a free, self-governed, and educated people. 
The Common School system has been one of the most 
effective means in producing these magic changes. Its 
benefits and its inevitable results are ai'gnments wliich 
come directly home to the hearts and understandings 
of the great body of the peo[)le. To the foresight and wis- 
dom of the pilgrims, are we indebted for this rich lega- 
cy. With what care and anxiety, then, should we 
cherish it, so that we may hand it down to those who 
shall come after us, not only untarnished, but in our 
hands made the instrument of increased good. 

Time forbids indulging in any further reflections, to 
which so fruitful a subject invites our attention. The 
remaining events in our town's history must be rapidly 
run over. 

At this time there appears to have been some troui)le 
concerning the Parsonage lands. Tlie Propiietors of Hav- 
erhill granted to the inhaltitants of 'I'imber Lane, a tract 
of land " for ye use of ye first minister who should set- 
tle here." At this meeting in 1750, it was voted 'nluit 
Esq. Little, Capt. Copps and John Webster, should be 
a committee to agree with Thos. Haynes to go off ye 
Pai'sonage land, if they can do it on leasonable terms." 
This committee was unsuccessful in effecting a settlement 
with Mr. Haynes. It is not easy to ascertain wherein 
the difficulty consisted. The dispute was about the title. 
At different meetings the town chose committees to 
prosecute the trespassers, or to settle with them, cr to 
refer the matter. So many votes were passed and recon- 
sidered, that it is not possible to ascertain how the mat- 
ter was finally adjusted. The last vote upon the town 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 25 

records, is to give it to any one to hold in fee simple, 
who will take up the case and prosecute it to final judg- 
ment. Probably some amicable adjustment was made, 
which secured the lands to the town.* 

An article was inserted in the warrant " to see if ye 
town would give Mr. Merriam a call to settle as a gos- 
pel minister in ye town.". From a defect in the records, 
it cannot be ascertained what was done. 

In August, 1750, at a meeting holden for the purpose, a 
committee was chosen "to supply ye pulpit, with ye advice 
of ve neighboring ministers." A similar vote w^as passed in 

1751. " The town thus had preaching most of the time. 
At a meeting held on the 25th day of February, 1752, the 
town voted to " choose and elect Mr. Henry True, to 
settle with us in ye work of ye ministry." " Voted to 
give Mr. True for his annual salary X450, each of ye 
two first years, in monej', old tenor, or equal to it in 
money ; and after ye two first years are expired, then 
.£500 a year, of 3^e like money, during ye time he con- 
tinues to carry on ye Avork of ye ministry amongst us, in 
this town of Hampstead." At an adjourned meeting, 
they voted, as an additional inducement for him to come, 
"£1000, o. t., one-half in bills of credit, and ye other 
half in labor and materials for building — also, twent}"^ cords 
of wood, annually, after he hath a family. Also, ye peace- 
able possession of ye land, granted by the proprietors of 
Haverhill, to ye first minister who should settle in Tim- 
ber Lane." To the call of the town, and this liberal 
offer, Mr. True returned a letter of acceptance. 

Mr. True came from Salisbuiy, Mass. He was gi-aduated 
at Harvard College in 1750, and was ordained June 24, 

1752, and continued in the ministry almost thirty years, 
till his death. " He always maintained the character of 
a good man^ (says Rev. Mr. Kell}^) " agreeably to the 

*Since ihe above was delivered, I have learned that the above named lands do not make 
a part of the present Parsonase. They are situated on the west road leading from Mr. Dan- 
iel Emerson's to the Wadley < orner. Kev. Henry True, soon after his settlement, sold nut 
his interest for a mere song, and the purchaser made a very profitable investment of his 
money. 



26 * HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

text, Acts 11 : 24, which Rev. Edward Barnard of Hav- 
erhill preached from, at his ordination. During the first 
half of his ministry, no clergyman was moi-e highly es- 
teemed or better treated by the people than he was. As 
his family increased, they added to his salary; the whole 
sum that the people gave him, over his regular salary, 
was nearly $3000, and this was when the daily wages of se- 
lectmen were only two shillings. But toward the close of 
his ministry, they cut down his salary, for several years 
to $200 a 3'ear. Other ministers came into the place, and 
by their zealous and loud speaking, produced great com- 
motion, but no revival among the people, who were 
very sanguine and versatile in their opinions. This did 
not unsettle the good minister, nor sully his character 
in the view of any man, but it reduced his salary and 
the number of his hearers so that after his decease, the 
people were in trouble." For many years, in consequence 
of a division amongst themselves, they attempted, un- 
successfully, to settle a new minister. 

In 1755, during the old French War, Mr. True went 
into the army as chaplain ; also, again in 1762. In a let- 
ter to his wife, dated July 11th, at Crown Point, he 
gives an interesting account of matters occurring in the 
camp ; he speaks of the great drought which was so fatal 
to the crops that year. His connection with the army 
does not appear to have been marked by any striking 
events. After remaining there the appointed time, he 
returned to his family and people. 

Mr. True died suddenly on the 22d of May, 1782, in 
the fifty-seventh year of his age. It was on the Sabbath, 
just as he was ready to leave his house for the house of 
God, to preach as usual, when, with scarcely a moment's 
Avarning, he was called to " a tabernacle not made with 
hands," to spend an eternal Sabbath of rest. 

Mr. True was the means of doing much good ; his 
influence is felt to this day. He left a numerous family 
of children, who settled in different parts of our land ; 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 2*J 

and carried with them the habits and virtues, which their 
father instilled into their minds in their youth. 

Dr. Jabez True, his son, was one of the first settlers 
of Ohio ; he led a life of more than ordinary usefulness. 
He died in 1823, at the age of sixty-three. His memory 
is still cherished by the descendants of the early pio- 
neers of that great state, for his universal charit}-, sim- 
plicity of manners, and sincere piety. 

Rev. Henry True, another son, was, for many years, 
settled in the state of Maine, and now, in his old age, is 
enjoying the consciousness of having lived a useful life, 
and is commanding the veneration and respect of every 
one. 

The people of this town can bear testiniony to the 
life of usefulness, which another of the famil}^ has led. 
Her visits of mercy to the sick, her sympathy for the 
poor and distressed, her disinterested zeal in works of 
charity and benevolence, have endeared her to us with 
many ties of affection. 

In 1753, the town offered a bounty of four pounds on 
every wolf killed in the town. An incident which oc- 
curred about this time, was the cause of the passage of 
this vote. Lieut. Peter Morse was tending a coal pit 
upon his land at some distance from his house. At night 
when ready to return to. his family, he found himself 
surrounded by several wolves. He was obliged to pass 
a long and sleepless night in the forest, and saved his 
life only by continually throwing firebrands at them. 

.Every vestige of the wilderness has long been removed. 
Among the most vexatious and often calamitous annoy- 
ances, which were continually harvassing our ancestors^ 
was the attack of wild beasts upon their ITocks. 

The warrant for the annual meeting in 1756 com- 
mences with the caption, — '' Province of New Hampshire. 
In His Majesty's name, you are required to meet," &c. 
This caption was used this year for the first time, and 
was continued till the commencement of the Revolution- 



28 *. HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

ar}- War, when it was changed to " Colony of New 
Hampshire. In the name of the Government and Peo- 
ple, you are notified," &c. After the formation of the 
Constitution, it was again changed to " State of New 
Hampshire. In tlie name of said State, you are," &c. 
These changes of captions, though considered small mat- 
ters in themselves, serve to show how ready the people 
were to renounce all allegiance to the King of England. 
In 1758, a committee was chosen to defend a suit 
hrouglit by the town of Kingston against Hampstead. 
The difficulty continued eight years, before it was set- 
tled. Before the State line was run in 1741, Hampstead, 
as now constituted, belonged mostly to Haverhill. But 
a small portion of the eastern part of the town, which 
went by the name of Amesbury Peak, was claimed, both 
by Kingston and Amesbury, although the latter town 
exercised jurisdiction over the territory. Kingston then 
comprehended all that is now called Kingston, East 
Kingston, Danville and Sandown, and being incorporated 
fifty-five years before Hampstead, would also embrace tlie 
disputed territor}-, after the running of the State line. 
Thougli that town had slept fifty-five years, before the 
incorporation of Hampstead, and eleven years after its 
incorporation, yet in 1760, "they at last waked up, and fell 
upon this town with redoubled force, with writ after writ." 
These lawsuits caused the town a good deal of trouble, 
and many meetings were called for the purpose of set- 
tling the difficulty, or defending the suits. At one time 
the town voted to pay Kingston one thousand pounds, 
old tenor, and costs, which must have amounted to a 
round sum. There is another vote to pay Kingston 
twelve hundred pounds, and still another to pay three 
thousand pounds. But it is difficult to say whether the 
town ever paid Kingston anything except the costs. At 
this state of the difficulty, the Governor interfered, and 
compromised the matter, by a grant to Kingston, of a 
tract of land near the Connecticut River. The new 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 29 

township was named Unity, because the granting of it 
made peace between Hampstead and Kingston. The set- 
tlement was finally effected in 1776. It would be very 
fortunate if all difficulties arising out of disputed territo- 
ries, could be settled as amicably as this was,* 

In 1762, the town voted " to keep the meeting house 
doors shut against all such preachers, whose principles 
and conduct are such, that neither Congregational nor 
Presbyterian churches amongst us can hold communion 
with, or admit as preachers." From the testimony of 
Mr. Kelly, " almost all tiie followers of the new preach- 
ers became downright infidels, of which, it is believed, 
this town had more than any other then know*n in the 
State. They sowed the seeds of wickedness so much, that 
their pernicious influence was felt for many years after- 
wards, b}^ the goodly number of sober people, who then 
had no minister to speak the word of truth, and break 
the bread of life to them." 

This account should be taken with some grains of 
allowance. Mr. Kelly wrote with all the prejudices of a 
zealous minister of the eighteenth century. The Puritans 
looked with jealousy upon any sect of Christians other 
than their own. The people of this town partook fully 
of that feeling, and very probably, opposed the new 
creed springing up around them, so bitterly, as to cause 
those who were indifferent to any particular creed in 
I'eligion, to sympathise with the persecuted. This is 
always the result of bitter opposition. Often, the surest 
wa}^ to put down error, is to leave it unnoticed. If the 
doctrine has merits of its own, it will stand upon them 
alone, and if it is really an error, it will fall and des- 
troy itself in its own ruins. 

The pay of Selectmen, about this time, was two shil- 
lings per day, lawful money. The town, at the annual 
meeting voted what compensation the Selectmen for the 

♦"Historical Sketch of Hampstead." The above account by Mr. Kelly is the only state- 
ment to be found of the Kingston difficulty. 



30 HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

year previous should receive. Sometimes they voted to 
pay them nothing. This was not a very complimentary 
estimate of the value of their services, but if our public 
servants at the present day should be paid for the good 
they actually do perform, they would, undoubtedly, be 
more active to perform their duties faithfully, and less 
eager to sustain the burdens of public office. 

Our town has had its share of public calamities. In 
1737, in the latter part of the winter, large numbers of 
cattle died from scarcity of hay ; and many families suf- 
fered extremely from want of bread. In 1738, " there 
was a remarkable worm, which ate the leaves from the 
oak trees. Other vegetation also suffered." " In 1741, 
the winter was colder than almost any man ever before 
knew in New England." In 1749, was the greatest 
dronght ever known in the land. One person writes, 
" that five acies of good land, newly laid down, produced 
but one load of hay. That he mowed several days, and 
could not cut two hundred a day." Seme people cut 
down trees for their cattle to browse, and mau}^ sent to 
Virginia for hay. The corn ciop yielded well that year, 
else their sufferings must have been severe. In 1756, a 
malignant fever prevailed, which swelled the number of 
deaths to thirty. In a population of three hundred, this 
was a fearful mortality. These calamities are, however, 
too well known to require any further notice. 

The circumstances of procuring the bell in this town 
are attended with some interest. Dea. Thomas Huse, of 
West Newbury, Mass., in 1809, owned and lived upon 
the Island. He was a particular friend of Mr. Kelly, and 
said to him one day, " you have a steeple here, and need 
a bell. If you will go to Mr. George Holbrook, of Brook- 
field, and speak for a bell, I will pay for it." The bell 
was accordingly procured and brought upon the ground 
before any man in Hampstead knew anything about it, 
except the two who had been spoken to, to make the 
frame. It was first suspended from a limb of the old oak 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 31 

tree, in this neighborhood, and rung, much to the sur- 
prise of all the people, who had not been apprised of the 
event ;* a very harmless and agreeable way of perpetra- 
ting a joke.f 

It is worthy of note, that there are seven farms in this 
town, that have remained in the same families over 
one hundred years-l It is an old and familiar adage, 
'' there's no place like home ; " these farms, then, must 
be doubly dear to their present owners. The reminis- 
cences of childhood, and the scenes enacted around these 
heiirth-stones of their fathers, render these places dear 
to them, with a thousand ties of affection. 

At a special meeting of the town, called on the twen- 
tieth of December, 1774, it was voted " that the money 
called for from this town, in order to support the ex- 
pense of the Delegates of the (jeneral Congress sent by 
this Province, shall be paid out of the town stock." 
" Also, that a Committee of Inspection be chosen to re- 
gard the conduct of the people, touching the association 
of the General Congress." 

At a special meeting held July fifteenth, 1776, it was 
voted " to raise a sum of money, sufficient to hire thir- 
teen men, sent for by Col. Gale, as the proportion of 
this town, to join the Continental Army under Gen. Sul- 
livan, at Canada, or at Crown Point." "Voted to set 
aside and excuse all those persons, who have done a turn 
in the war the last year, or their proportion of a turn in 
said war, from paying any part." The town also chose 
a committee to hire and enlist the thirteen men called 

*Many of the foregoing facts and statements are found in the " Sketch of Hampstead," 
before alluded to. 

t rhe following extract is taT<en from the deed of conveyance by Dea. Huse : 

" I Thomas Huse of Hanipstearl, &c. in consideraliou of the love and good will, and aflfec- 
tion which I have and bear to the inhabitants of the town of Hampstead in general, and to 
ihe Congregational Church and Society in particular, and witli a view and desire to unite a 
spirit of liberality, and to promote good order, harmony and peace in the said town of Hamp- 
stead, have given, granted and cmifirmed, and by these presents do give, grant and confirm 
unto the said town of Hampstead, for the use and benefit of said inhabitants in general, and 
for the use and benefit of said Chuith and Society in particular, —forever— a certain meeting- 
house bell now on the meeting house in said Hampstead, made by George Holbrook, at 
Brookfield, Mass. * *" — Records of Hampxtcnd, Vol. 2, pp. 62-3. 

JTIiese farms are either owned or occupied by the following persons, respectively, viz: Mr. 
Jonathan Williams; Heirs of John H. Clark, who died the present season ; Mr. Caleb Had- 
ley; i^Ir. Samuel Wood; Mr. Moses Atwood ; Mr. Amasa Eastman ; and Widow Mary Calef. 



32* HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

for, and empowered them to procure money for the pay- 
ment of the soldiers. 

This meeting was held either immediately upon the 
reception of the news of the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence or a few days prior, and when that instrument 
was the general subject of tliought and conversation. It 
shows that onrs was not behind other towns, in respond- 
ing to the action of Congress. Committees of Inspection 
were chosen at various times, during the war. 

In 1777, another draft was made upon this town, "for 
men to join the Continental Army inider Col. Bartlett." 
The town immediately voted to send the men, and joined 
the Selectmen with the commissioned officers, to procure 
them. 

In December, 1777, John Calfe was chosen a " Repre- 
sentative to act in the General x\ssembly to be holden at 
Exeter, with full power to transact such measures as the 
Assembly might judge necessary for the public good ; and 
also, to choose delegates to the Continental Congress." 
Mr. Calfe was annually chosen to represent the town, till 
our present Constitution was adopted. The unlimited 
power entrusted to him, speaks volumes in favor of his 
integrity, and of the confidence the people reposed in 
him. It also shows that this town was ready to perform 
its share in the great Revolution to be effected on this 
Continent. Many other towns would not empower their 
delegates with full authority, from a distrust of the ex- 
pediency of many of the measures then proposed, but 
which time has proved to have been wisely enacted. 

In 1778, a Committee was chosen " to provide for the 
families of those that had gone into the army for the 
town of Hampstead." At the annual meeting in 1778, 
it was voted, even in anticipation, "to procure the sol- 
diers that might be called for during the year." In 
1779 it was voted " to allow those soldiers that were 
for and from this town, something for their losses in 
their retreat from Tianteroga, [Ticonderoga,(?)] in 1777." 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 33 

At a special meeting, in May, 1779, they voted " to pro- 
cure the men, (five in number,) then called for, and also 
to raise more men, if called for that year." Again in 
Jul}^, another meeting was called and new measures taken 
to procure men to join the New Hampshire battalion ; 
and also to procure men to go to Rhode Island, to join 
the army there. At this time the paper currency, issued 
b}' Congress, had depreciated so much, as to be almost 
worthless. The people of Portsmouth met to consider 
what remed}' could best be applied. Their consultation 
resulted in fixing a price for all articles of merchandise, 
which should be uniform throughout the state. The 
Selectmen of Portsmoutli issued Circulars to the differ- 
ent towns, asking their co-operation. At a special meet- 
ing this town "voted to come into the plan adopted by 
Portsmouth, provided three-fourths of the other towns 
should do the same." The adoption of this plan, neces- 
sarily resulted in great pecuniary sacrifices. 

There are many other interesting votes passed dur- 
ing the Revolution,* but enough have been noticed, to 
show that this town took an active part in that great 
struggle. There was no time during the war when it 
did not furnish its full quota of men. Its money was 
freely given, and its men willingly sent forth to fight * 
the battles of a common country. In Rhode Island, on 
the shores of Lake George, and at Crown Point, are 
entombed the ashes of our townsmen. In common with 
the rest of our countr}^ our ancestors were aroused by 
the insults and injuries heaped upon them by Eng- 
land. They fought against powerful odds. In the 
darkest periods of the Revolution, the hardy yeomanry 
flocked around the standard of America, artd wrested 
from the hands of our mother land, the power which 
she vainly asserted. In the eloquent language of anotherf 
" those were times that tried men's souls, and never, in 

* Tliere are other votes recorded in the town books, passed durinp; the difficulty with France , 
in the presidency of John Adams. Also, similar votes passed during the waro£ 1812. 
t Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry. 



34 HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

any age, or in any countr3^ did there exist a race of 
men, whose souls were better fitted for the triah Pa- 
tient in suffering, firm in adversity, calm and collected 
amid the dangers whicli pressed around them, cool in 
council and brave in battle, the}^ were worthy of the 
cause and the cause was worthy of them." In their 
privations and wrongs, " the sufferers were uplield b}' 
that kind of holy fortitude, which enabled the christian 
martyrs to smile amidst the flames, and to triumph, even 
in the agonies of death." * * * " Every grade of 
society, all ages, and both sexes, kindled in this sacred 
competition of patriotism. The Ladies of the Colonies, 
in the d iwu, and throughout the whole progress of the 
Revolution, shone with pre-eminent lustre, in this war 
of fortitude and self-denial. They renounced, without a 
sigh, the use of the luxuries, and even of the comforts, 
to which they had been accustomed, and felt a nobler 
pride in appearing dressed in the simple productions of 
their own looms, than the}^ liad ever experienced from 
glittering in the brighest ornaments of the East." 

If our fathers and mothers did not occupy so promi- 
nent a place in the great drama of the Revolution, as 
others who lived nearer the scenes of active operations, 
it was not because they lacked brave and patriotic spir- 
its. They contributed their full quota of the honest 
yeomanry, that composed our bravest troops. They 
freely gave of their fortunes to promote the sacred cause; 
the}' protected from hunger and danger, the wives and 
little ones of those who had gone manfully forth to the 
fight. In that day, America knew no distinction of rank 
or person. It was a common cause, for tlie common 
good. The humblest soldier in that war, if animated 
with the same patriotic feelings, deserves and receives the 
same grateful remembrance from posterity. What though 
his name be lost ! What though every trace of his life's 
history be destroyed ! He performed well his part in life, 
and the influence of his acts will descend through all 



HISTORY OF HAMFSTEAD. 35 

time, and incite other men, in other ages, to the same 
noble struggles to become free, even as now the cower- 
ing millions of Europe are striving to break the tyranny 
of power ; — even as the noble Hungarians are contend- 
ing for life and liberty against the allied despotic powers 
of Austria and Russia. 

It is proper to notice, though, from necessity, briefly, 
the principal men of our town. 

Richard Hazzen came from Haverhill, Mass., and was 
amonof the first settlers. He was graduated at Harvard 
College in 1717. In 1741, he was one of the principal 
Surveyors in running the line between this State and 
xVIassachusetts. He died suddenly in October 1754. He 
was a useful and trustworthy citizen and was so esteemed 
by his fellow townsmen. He was so well known and 
prominent that he is mentioned on the records simply as 
Mr. Hazzen, his Christian name being omitted. 

Daniel Little, Esq., also came from Haverhill. By the 
authority given him in the town charter, he called the 
first town meeting, for the purpose of organizing. He 
was often chosen Selectman, and placed upon import- 
ant committees, and was a valuable and iufluential cit- 
izen. He died in 1777, at the good old age of 86, 
lamented by all his fellow townsmen. His descendants- 
compose a numerous and valuable part of our present 
population. His son Samuel was a Justice of the Peace, 
often one the Selectmen, and frequently filled other im- 
portant offices in town. Another son. Rev. Daniel Little, 
was the first minister of Kennebunk, Maine ; and j)]eached 
in this town before the settlement of Mr. True. He was 
a member of the American Academy of Arts and Scien- 
ces, and had the honorary degree of A. M. conferred 
upon him at Harvard College. 

Gen. Jacob Bayle}' resided in this town several years. 
He came from Newbury, Mass., and was a very enter- 
prising man. After living here several years he went as 
a leading man, and settled in Newbury, Vt., which 



36 * HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

town he named after his native place. He was distin- 
guished as an officer in the Revolutionar}' War. 

Capt. John Hazzen, who was born in Haverhill, Mass., 
and was nephew to Richard Hazzen, also, was a nian of 
enterprise. After living" in this town several years, he 
removed to settle in Haverhill of this State, which place 
he named after the place of his nativity. 

Hon. Charles Johnson was another very worthy man, 
who went from this place with Capt. Hazzen, as one 
of the first and most valuable men in that company. 

Hon. John Calfe, born in Newl)ury, Mass., came to this 
town from Kingston, N. H. He was a descendant of 
the celebrated Robert Calfe, a meichant of Boston, who 
so strenuously withstood tlie measures of the government 
in putting supposed witches to death, in Salem. He was 
a deacon in the church at Hampstead thirty-five years, — 
a Justice of the Peace twenty-nine years, and of the 
Quorum throughout the State thirteen years, — Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas twenty-five years, — and 
Clerk of the House of Representatives twenty-five 3^ears. 
He annually represented this and two neighboring towns 
in the General Assembly, during the war of the Revolu- 
tion, at a time when he was under thirty 3'^ears of age. 
He was also a member of the Committee of Safety, with 
diseretionaiy power to ti-ansact all State affairs during 
the recess of the Assembl}-. At the age of eigliteen he 
was an under officer on the shores of Lake Champlain, in 
the war against the French and Indians. He was also an 
officer in the Revolutionary Army. He was Secretary 
of the Convention for forming the State Constitution, and 
of the Convention for ratifying the Federal Constitution, 
He was once chosen State Treasurer, but did not accept 
the office. In liis memoir it is said, " that no man ever 
more sacredly regarded the ivill of the people, than he. 
In all his public transactions, his conduct was regulated, 
not by the views of party men, but by what he con- 
ceived to be the wish of the whole people." He died 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 37 

in 1808, in the 68th year of his age. On tlie meeting 
of the legislature the next month, it was voted, in tes- 
timon}'^ of respect for his memory that the members of 
the House would wear black crape on the left arm dur- 
ing the session. " To the close of his life, he sustained 
a fair, unblemished character, which envy or malice 
would scarce dare impeach."* 

There is Jiot time to notice, at large, other prominent 
men. A mere mention of their names must suffice. Among 
those whom we hold in grateful remembrance, are Dea. 
Peter Eastman, for twenty-five years Town Clerk ; Dea. 
Benjamin Kimball ; Capt. William Marshall, the first Rep- 
resentative from this town under the new Constitution ; 
Dea. Timothy Goodwin ; Lieut. Peter Morse ; Dea. Sam- 
uel Currier ; Daniel Little, Esq., recently deceased ; Dea. 
Moses Little ; Dea. Job Kent ; John True, Esq.; Col. Jon- 
athan Little ; Reuben Harrinian ; Col. Benjamin Emerson ; 
Dea. John Emei^on ; Bartholomew Heath ; Jonathan 
Eastman ; Jesse Gordon, Esq. ; and Isaac Noyes, Esq., de- 
ceased the present year. There are the names of many 
others, in the history of the town, whom we would like to 
notice, and who have equal claims upon our remembrance. 
But time forbids us to delay. Nor is it necessary to recite 
their histories. We hold their acts in grateful remem- 
brance. The influence of their well spent lives is felt by 
us to-day. Their love of order and religion, their vener- 
ation for things sacred, their [)ublic spirit, worth}^ of imita- 
tion in these days, their generosity towards objects of char- 
ity, and their friendly relations in neighborhoods and 
among each other — all their noble traits of character, com- 
mand our highest veneration. 

To the memory of the venerable man who so recently 
left this world, as we trust, for a better one, it is fitting 
that we pay more than a passing tribute. 

Rev. John Kell}^ was born in Amesbury, Mass., Feb. 22, 

*I'lic ijreceding account of thu prominent citizens is condensed from Mr. Kelly's Sketch 
■of Hiinipstead, nnd from the History of Judge Calfe. Information derived from other sources, 
lias been added. 



38"- HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

1763 ; lie wasgraduated at Dartmouth College in 1791 ,and 
ordained at Hampstead, December .5, 1792. There was no 
dissenting voice against liis settlement, although for the 
ten years previous there had been no settled minister here, 
and many ineffectual attempts had been made to procure 
one. The salary voted to him was sixty pounds a year, 
and the use of the parsonage. " Also ten cords of wood a 
year for ten years, and if he shall not find that sufficient, 
libert}' to cut more from the Parsonage." When ten years 
should expire they were to give him fifteen cords a year. 
They also voted " to give him two cows and six sheep, 
when called for." To the call and offer of the town, he 
returned, with his usual frankness, an affirmative answer ; 
an answer too, which breathes a sph'it of evangelical 
piety. 

It is worthy of mention, that Mr. Kelly outlived every 
individual who was a member of his church at the time he 
became connected with it. Of all the juen that helped 
settle him, only two survive.* It was his let to see the 
rest depart, one after another, to tlie spirit land, to find 
himself left almost alone, to mourn their departuie, and to 
witness the extinguishment of the "objects of their ardent 
hopes and high endeavor." 

The result of his labors is known to us all. Scandal 
never moved its tongue to defame his character, or oppugn 
his motives. In private life he was distinguished for mild- 
ness and dignity ; in the discharge of his public duties, for 
meekness, for practical knowledge in life and in the scrip- 
tures for sound judgment and correct taste. Although all 
here present may not have agreed with him in religious 
belief, yet all will unite in awarding to him the best inten- 
tions in all his actions. First convinced of the correctness 
of his opinions, he endeavored mildly, but firmly, to con- 
vince others. At the bedside of the sick, and in the house 
of mourning, he was a frequent visitor. Conscious of the 
duties and responsibilities of his profession, it was his 

*Capt. Jonathan C, Little, and Mr. Hezekiah Ayer. 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 39 

highest endeavor to live a fit example of a Godly and a 
Christian Minister. To the dying, he strove to point out 
the way to eternal life, — to the afflicted, tlie consolation of 
religion, — and to all, the importance of obedience, and im- 
plicit faith in the wisdom of onr Creator. 

To him death Avas a welcome messenger. He was pre- 
pared to go "through the valley and shadow of death with- 
out fear." In ripe old age, after almost half a century 
spent in the work of the ministr}-, he Avent down to the 
grave, beloved and lamented by all who survived him. 

We have thus, fellow citizens, run rapidly over our his- 
tory', down to the commencement of the present century. 
The events that have since transpired, are of so recent 
occurrence, that tliey need not now be reviewed. 

It is but little more than a century, since the first white 
man pressed his feet upon our soil ; and yet how little do 
we know of the eventful lives of our fathers ! The place 
of their first abode contains hardlv a relic of their habita- 
tions. In the improvements of the age, and in the prog- 
ress of the arts, we have lost sight of their customs, and 
discarded the things so familliarto them. The ruins, yet 
to be seen, disclose to our minds, scenes of deep and thril- 
ling interest. In the infancy of this settlement, what in- 
teresting topics of conversation serve to beguile the weary 
hours of evening, — what joys and sorrows occurred to 
break the monotony of their lives, — with what anguish the 
whole household watched for the return of the absent 
father or son, — what fear of the prowling wolf, or lurking 
savage filled their minds wearied with watching, — we have 
not time to inquire. When, in the long and dark night of 
the Revolution, so many of their young men had gone forth 
to battle, with what painful suspense did each family wait 
for news from the absent ones. And when the painful in- 
telligence came, that the eldest and favorite son of their 
beloved pastor, had fallen in battle, Avith what rapidity did 
the intelligence pass fi'om house to house. What increased 
iinxiety did parents feel, lest the next messenger should 



4(t- HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

announce that a beloved friend had fallen in battle. What 
sleepless nights did they pass in tearful thought of the ab- 
sent ones, the bewildered imagination picturing a fond hus- 
band or son suffering the privations of a life in the camp, 
perchance, lying wounded upon tlie field of battle, with no 
friend to bathe his burning temples, or to bring a cup of 
Vv^ater to cool liis parching thirst. Or again in fiightful 
dreams, l)eholding his corse, stretched lifeless, upon the 
battle plains, tlie cold moonbeams shining into his fea- 
tures, fixed in death. 

For a brief hour, we have attempted to live in the past 
only. We have followed our ancestors from the earliest 
period in their history to the latest acts of their lives. 
We have suffered with them in their troubles, and rejoiced 
with them in their joys. We liave seen them, a hardy, 
enterprising and patient race, struggling against want, 
and .privations, and the calamities of war, and all the 
evils incident to new settlements ; and we have seen them 
too, though lacking the luxuries of Avealth, and the refine- 
ents of polished society, exerting their influence, and labor- 
ing in the cause of religion and of education, and those 
benevolent iustitutions so common to New England, that 
they have made it renowned the world over, for virtue and 
enterprise. VVe have not found them without their faults. 
But " their faults were usually virtues carried too far ;" 
"faults partly belonging to the times, but more the effect 
of strong feelings without the advantages of early disci- 
pline. At tlie same time we have seen in tliem the rudi- 
ments of real refinement, warm, kind, and gentle feelings, 
— and specimens of politeness worthy of the patriarchal 
age." 

But they are gone forever from these places. Their ashes 
are entombed in yonder burial place. They are gone, and 
with them all they loved or feared, the objects so dear to 
them in life, and the temptations they labored so hard to 
remove. But they yet speak to us. TJielr example lives, 
and to-day brightens the sun of our existence with its liv- 
ing: influence. 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 4I 

There comes up the thought, full of meaning, what will 
be the condition of our beloved town, a century to come ? 
At the next Centennial Celebration, who will be the 
actors ? Time alone can disclose the fortune that awaits 
tliose who shall come after us. But we know who will 
not be actors then. We shall be " gathered to our fath- 
eis." The sun will shine as brightly then upon these 
beautiful places, these waters will sparkle before his pres- 
ence reflecting a thousand flashing rays, these trees will 
afford the same delightful shade, and the earth yield its 
annual return to the toiling husbandman. But another 
generation will occupy our places. The names of many 
of us will be no longer known. But the influence of 
our lives, will be felt though we be forgotten in our 
graves. 

Nor can we tell what mighty changes will then have been 
eff'ected. Within the last year and a half, revolution after 
revolution, in the old world, has taken place in such rapid 
succession, that the mind awakes to the startling reality, 
scarcely able to comprehend the sudden change. The 
King of the French, acknowledged the wealthiest man in 
the world, the wisest sovereign that ever sat upon the 
throne of France, and thought to be securely seated upon 
that throne, the " Citizen King of 1830," is deposed, and 
in the meanest garb of disguise, flees before an outraged 
populace to the British Isles for refuge. France, the scene 
of so much bloodshed, and of so many revolutions, raises 
the standard of liberty, and other nations, catching the 
sound of the shouts of freemen, in a day, compel the mon- 
archs of Europe to loosen the reins of power; and tlirones 
that had stood firmly for ages, the}" make to tremble upon 
their foundations. Austria, the land of tyrannj^ and op- 
pression, compels her Emperor to abdicate. Piince Metter- 
nich, so long the crafty and subtle Prime Minister to a 
powerful Monarch, whose iron will and selfish heart had 
so long directed the affair of a nation, whose every 
thought and act had been directed to the establishment of 



42 ' HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

despotism and the spread of Popery, suddenly finds himself 
unable to stem the current of popular indignation and is 
compelled to retire from the high post he had so basely 
prostituted, to muse in solitude upon his past life, and 
commune with his own corrupt heart. The Pope, whose 
election was hailed by the whole civilized world as the har- 
binger of a better administration of the affairs at Rome, is 
hardly seated upon his throne, before he " flees in disguise 
from his pontifical halls, and St. Peter's and the Vatican 
resound with the triumphal shouts of an awakened na- 
tion." The seed of liberty, sown by our fathers in the 
days of the Revolution, is springing up in every part of 
Europe, and promises to convert tliose despotic powers and 
monarchies into new and powerful Republics ; the voice of 
the peoj)le, so long stifled behind the throne is beginning to 
reach the ears of Kings and Emperors, and will ere long 
assert their rights in the majesty of their strength. Hun- 
gary is struggling against the most unholy alliance ever 
entered into to suppress the efforts of a people to become 
free. She has nobly flung to the breeze the banner of liberty 
and is bravely contending against the most powerful odds. 
We wait with the most intense anxiety for the next news 
that shall tell us of the fate of a people wlio are imitating 
our example, and hold in such veneration the memory of 
our Washington. 

" On the Western Continent, the Saxons conquer and 
dismember Mexico. California outshines the wealth of 
India. The disloyal Canadians insult the representative 
of majesty," and the United States are extending their 
borders over a whole Continent. 

In the physical world within a score of years, by the 
discovery of the application of steam to machinery, we are 
carried across the waters with a speed and safety, until re- 
cently deemed unattainable. The most distant parts of 
our country are connected by iron rails reaching out and 
extending in every direction. The hourly rate of speed has 
gone up from five miles to thirty, and even in some cases 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 43 

to fifty ; and the most sanguine are not deemed visionary, 
when they predict that it will soon be increased to an hun- 
dred. The electric wire, with the wings of the lightning, 
conveys every moment, from shore to shore, a new subject 
for thought or action. 

Within the last few years, it has been our fortune to 
witness these magic changes. Each new year will open 
to us some new improvement in the world of inventions, 
and a centur/ hence, the historian of that time will record 
the discovery of wonders far surpassing any conception 
which we are able to form. 

The interest with which the annual return of this day is 
awaited, induces me to ask your indulgence for a few mo- 
ments longer. 

This day, the joyful shout, America is free^ spreads from 
State to State, from town to town, and from house to 
house, till the whole land rings with the glad voice, and 
echo upon echo comes back from every mountain and hill- 
side, America is free ! On our mountains and on our 
plains, on our noble rivers and on the great waters, a thou- 
sand voices unite in the shouts of liberty and a thou- 
sand echoes send back the soft notes of the songs of Free- 
dom. The deep, shady glens, and beautiful groves resound 
to the merry voices of thoughtless, innocent children. The 
busy streets are filled with throngs of freemen, self-divested 
of the cares and occupations of life. " Eloquence, with 
burning lips and glowing tongue," portrays those magnifi- 
cent triumphs, which history has already written for pos- 
terity. 

Its early dawning is awaited Avith scarce restrained im- 
patience, to be ushered in with firing of cannons, ringing 
of bells, and every demonstration of joy. It is celebrated 
by every class of Americans, — by every society and organ- 
ization, — by civic processions, — by floral gatherings, — by 
orations, — by military reviews, — each and all, with the joy 
and enthusiasm which Americans only can feel. The going 
down of the sun is the signal for the gathering of thou- 



44 ' HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

sands, to close the festivities of the day with every exhi- 
bition of art which the pyrotechnist can display. Amid 
the blazing of rockets, and the glittering of fire-works, 
rivaling the stars in splendor and in beauty, end the varied 
scenes of this Anniversary. 

We seem to linger around the scenes of that dark hour 
in our nation's history, when every hope of the future was 
involved in doubt and disappointment. The spirit of the 
past carries us back a period of seventy-three years. We 
look upon the devoted, self-denying men who composed 
the memorable Congress of 1776. We consider the 
tlioughts which heaved their breasts; mark the alternations 
of hope and fear, of confidence and doubt, which reveal 
the agonies within. We note the solemn stillness that 
rests upon them, — the deep and absorbing interest, grow- 
ing more intense. The Declaration of Independence is 
read. Incensed at the wrongs inflicted upon America, 
they speak of the shedding of their brother's blood at Lex- 
ington, and Concord, and Bunker Hill, in the language of 
outraged manhood, and vow to avenge the death of their 
martyr countrymen. " Eloquence is poured forth from 
inexhaustible fountains. It assumes every variety of hue, 
and form and motion, which can delight or persuade, in- 
struct or astonish. Now it is the limpid rivulet, spark- 
ling down the mountain's side, and winding its silver 
course between margins of moss; — anon it is the angry 
ocean, chafed by the tempest, hanging its billows with 
deafening clamors among the crackling shrouds, or hurl- 
ing them in sublime defiance at the storm that frowns 
above." 

It is finished ; they declare our country free, and in sup- 
port of that Declaration, "pledge their lives, their for- 
tunes and their sacred honor." Lives and fortunes were 
sacrificed in its defence, but our Countiy's honor was sus- 
tained. 

Now war is raging throughout our native land. Hostile 
arraies-of one and the same name, blood and language, are 

LofC. 



HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 45 

arrayed for battle. Years of darkness and doubt succeed, 
lighted only by some struggling rays of hope, and the fires 
of war. But darkness and doubt pass at length away, and 
day dawns upon the long, dark night of the Revolution. 

More than half a century has rolled away, since the 
glory of that bright morning broke upon us, and another 
scene is disclosed. Where swept the tide of war, now all 
is calm {^nd fresh and still. 

The roll of musketry and the clash of arms are hushed, 
and the pillow of repose is pressed in quiet. " The busy 
town and the rural cottage, the lowing herd, the cheerful 
hearth, the village school, the rising spire, the solemn bell, 
the voice of prayer and the hymn of praise, brighten and 
adorn American life and privileges." 

You have had imperfectly sketched to you, fellow-towns- 
men, the most prominent scenes in the history of our na- 
tive town ; and the character of this day required that 
some allusion should be made to our Country's proud 
career. 

We have performed a grateful duty to the memory of 
our ancestors. They sought this land when it was a wil- 
derness. The name of Puritan, which was fastened on 
them as a term of reproach, the}'^ meekly accepted, and so 
adorned the even tenor of their lives, and with the recti- 
tude and consistency of their characters, that it has become 
more honorable than that of king or ruler. The American 
traces his descent from the emigrants in the May-Flower, 
with greater satisfaction, than if he could, with indisputa- 
ble certainty, trace his ancestral stream back to the proud- 
est noblemen of the most chivalrous age of England. 

American and New England privileges, have they left 
us. They struggled long and hard to establish these free 
institutions or ours. And when they bequeathed them to 
us, they also enjoined it upon us to preserve and maintain 
them untarnished, and hand them down to those who shall 
come after us, increased instruments of good. 

Let us so discharge our duties to our Country, to each 



^ HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 

other, to ourselves, and to our God, that when in one 
hundred years from this day, the people of Hampstead 
shall again assemble to commemorate the Centennial An- 
niversary of their Incorporation, and the memory of their 
fathers, we may have the same grateful remembrance in 
their hearts, that our ancestors this day occupy in ours. 
But if through human error, or party strife, we suffer these 
golden privileges to become lost, — this sacred legacy to 
become corrupted in our hands, — in the bitter moments 
of reflection and regret, there will come to our minds the 
consoling truth that, 

" The spirit cannot always sleep in dust, 
Whose essence is etherial ; they may try 
To darken and degrade it ; it may rust 
Dimly awhile, but cannot wholly die ; 
And -when it wakens, it will send its fire 
Intenser forth, and higher." 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 






